Travel Plans

For as far back as I can remember, I've wanted to travel through Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Jordan. Last year, I went to Israel twice, and now, after nearly a year of planning, I've booked my trip to Greece and Turkey.

My trip will start in Athens with a 14-day organized tour through Greece. The highlights of the tour will include Athens, Ancient Delphi, the Peloponnese Peninsula, Olympia, the Ionian coastline, Monemvasia, Mystras, Sparta, Nafplio, Ancient Mycenae, Epidavros, and Hydra.

Next, I will have a week to visit the monasteries in Meteora, the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion (featured at the top of this site), island hop to Santorini and Rhodes, then cross to Turkey to see Pergamom, Troy and Gallipoli.

Following that I will head to Istanbul for a 13-day organized tour through Turkey, which will include Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Kaymakli, Güzelyurt, Konya, Antalya, Pamukkale, Kusadasi, Ephesus, and Izmir.

From Izmir, I'll head back to Istanbul where I'll catch a flight to Israel. I haven't planned out my stay in Israel yet but I'll be there for a week. I hope to see Timna Park in Eilat, Massada, Ein Bokek at the Dead Sea, the ruins at Qumran, the Mount of Beatitudes in Galilee, the Golan Heights, and if time allows, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Abraham's well in the Negev. (Arnon will probably roll his eyes when he sees my proposed itinerary.)

Originally, I had planned to book the tours on October 1st, but ended up booking them in mid-September when I noticed that several tours were already full. In fact, my current itinerary is not my first choice. It just didn't occur to me that people make travel plans so early.

In any case, I'm set to go. I just have to count down the months until my departure, which isn't until May 3rd.

I look forward to crossing #4 and #5 off of my Top 10 list.

Egypt and Jordan will have to wait until Arnon is allowed to travel there freely.

If anyone would like to join me (and Arnon) for the Greece (May 5-18), Turkey (May 26-June 7) or Israel (June 8-14) leg of the trip, or join us for the whole six weeks, you're more than welcome. You just need to decide now to go so you can join the tours we've signed on to.